PLANAR DISPLAYS DIFFERENTIATE NEW CASINO
Indigo Sky is a new gaming destination located in northeast Oklahoma. Opened in September of 2012, the property is a standout in that it is the only casino in the area that uses large video walls to engage visitors and enhance their experience. Between three large video walls and 30 individual displays located throughout the casino, a guest is never far from gaming and entertainment on the industry's newest, brightest and sleekest video screens.
Casino management selected Planar displays for the property after comparing the technology to another global brand. "We chose Planar for the superior visual quality of the displays and because they are very easy to install and maintain," says Melanie Chase, Indigo Sky marketing director. "There are a number of other casinos in this area of the state, but none has invested in video wall technology. We did so because we knew this technology would really set us apart and give us competitive advantage in attracting and retaining a loyal base of customers."
Clarity Matrix and Planar PS-Series displays create the digital video solution
With the assistance of Blue Speed Audio Video – based in Tulsa, Oklahoma – Indigo Sky settled on a digital video strategy for the casino that is delivered on three of Planar's Clarity™ Matrix LCD Video Walls – in 5x5, 2x2, and 2x5 configurations – and nearly three dozen individual 46" Planar® PS-Series™ LCD displays that are installed throughout the gaming area, bars, restaurants, lobby and other gathering points.
"On the large video walls, we can feature everything from live horse racing to professional and college football. We use the individual displays to offer similar programming as well as real-time results of poker and bingo games, raffles and other cash-prize contests. The beautiful digital communication highlights the casino action, which makes it exciting for everyone, and also brings the outside sports world right in," Chase adds.
Blue Speed co-founder Ryan Sullivan says, "The Clarity Matrix and Planar PS-Series displays are the only technologies we'd want to specify for the casino environment. They both were designed to run 24/7, and they install without the need for extra structure. As a result, we can get a casino up and running more quickly and at lower cost than we could with other brands, and we know these displays will perform flawlessly over a long period time."
Both displays are long-lasting, high-performing and cost-effective
Sullivan adds that the off-board electronics of the Clarity Matrix video walls contributes significantly to their long life. "With controllers, power supplies and other elements located away from the wall, they are protected from the smoke that is common in the casino environment, which means they'll last longer and the casino won't be burdened with unnecessary service calls to us to have these components cleaned or replaced."
Indigo Sky also gives Planar displays high marks for their brightness – 700 nits for Clarity Matrix and 500 nits for the Planar PS-Series. "Even among the bright lights of the casino floor, you can't miss these screens," said Shaun Belcher, network analyst at Indigo Sky. "That high level performance just adds to the experience we can deliver to our guests."
With respect to the three video walls, Belcher likes that they use the Planar EasyAxis™ Mounting System. Designed specifically for the Clarity Matrix line, EasyAxis facilitates quick and precise alignment of all panels in a wall, and makes it a simple matter to access any single panel if maintenance or service is ever necessary. "You simply lift one panel up and away to get at an adjacent panel, so there's no need to power the whole wall down to make a single-panel adjustment or repair," said Belcher. "That really contributes to high uptime, which is important when you rely on a video wall for messaging, marketing and a great user experience."
Planar continues to deliver quality support
Belcher and Sullivan both give Planar high marks for its post-sale support. They note that the company has trained technicians who are always available to answer questions or help in resolving problems. Also, they are pleased with Planar's product warranties (both Clarity Matrix and the Planar PS-Series are offered with three-year warranties). Such support, they say, is a real differentiator for Planar, and it gives the customer a great deal of confidence and satisfaction.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
